Introduction

Texas uses straightforward percentage guidelines applied to a paying parent’s “monthly net resources.” For most families, the court multiplies that net figure by a percentage tied to the number of children—20% for one child, 25% for two, 30% for three, 35% for four, and 40% for five, with not less than 40% for six or more. These percentages are written into the Texas Family Code and are presumed reasonable, though judges can depart if the facts justify it.

Everything turns on “net resources,” a term with a precise legal meaning. It’s not the same as take-home pay on your paycheck. Texas law lists what counts (wages, bonuses, self-employment income, dividends, etc.) and what does not (means-tested public assistance, a new spouse’s income). Certain deductions are allowed before the guideline percentage is applied. Understanding what sits inside—and outside—net resources is the key to an accurate estimate.

There are three other moving parts. First, caps: guidelines apply only up to a maximum “net resources” amount the state publishes; beyond that, courts may order more based on the child’s proven needs. Second, special rules for very low incomes use reduced percentages. Third, medical and dental support are required in addition to guideline child support—either through insurance at a “reasonable cost” or cash medical support.

As of today (August 24, 2025), the Texas child support calculator commonly reflects a long-standing cap of $9,200 in monthly net resources. Several Texas family-law updates report that the cap is scheduled to increase on September 1, 2025 (commonly cited as $11,700), but you should confirm the official figure when it’s published by the state. Until a new amount is officially posted, courts continue to apply the existing cap.

Below, you’ll find concise answers to the most common, closely related questions—each written in plain English with short paragraphs and grounded in the statute and standard Texas practice. This is general information, not legal advice; for case-specific guidance, consult a Texas family-law attorney or the Office of the Attorney General child support office.

1) What are Texas child support percentage guidelines?

Texas sets percentage guidelines that the court presumptively applies to the paying parent’s monthly net resources: 20% for one child, 25% for two, 30% for three, 35% for four, and 40% for five, with not less than 40% for six or more. These percentages are the starting point for most cases and aim to keep outcomes consistent statewide.

Judges can deviate if the guideline result would be unjust or inappropriate considering factors such as extraordinary educational, health, or travel expenses, the child’s needs, or each parent’s ability to contribute. But in typical situations, the percentages above—applied to net resources and subject to any income cap—drive the monthly amount. Documented evidence is key if anyone is seeking a deviation.

2) How are “net resources” defined for Texas child support?

“Net resources” is a legal term. It includes 100% of wages and salary, bonuses, commissions, overtime, self-employment income, interest and dividends, rental income, and more. From that gross picture, the law allows specific deductions—Social Security (OASDI), Medicare, federal income tax (using standard assumptions), union dues, and the child’s health-insurance cost—yielding the net figure used for support.

Crucially, means-tested public assistance is excluded, and a new spouse’s income cannot be added to a parent’s net resources. If evidence of actual income is missing, courts can presume at least minimum-wage earnings or impute income based on assets and background. Accurate documentation of income and deductible costs is essential for a fair calculation and helps avoid disputes.

3) What is the Texas child support income cap (2025)?

Guideline percentages apply only up to a statutory “maximum amount of net resources.” Above that cap, courts apply guidelines to the capped amount and may order additional support based on the child’s proven needs. As of August 24, 2025, widely used references still show a $9,200 monthly net-resources cap.

Several Texas family-law updates indicate that the cap will increase on September 1, 2025 (often cited as $11,700). Because changes must be officially published by the state before taking effect, check the current posted number before relying on an update. Until the new figure is official, the $9,200 cap controls new calculations.

4) How do medical and dental support affect Texas child support?

Medical and dental support are in addition to guideline child support. The court must order health-insurance coverage at a “reasonable cost,” and dental-insurance coverage at a “reasonable cost.” If insurance isn’t available at reasonable cost, the court orders cash medical support instead so that ongoing healthcare needs are still covered.

Unreimbursed medical, dental, and vision expenses (like co-pays, prescriptions, or orthodontia) are also typically allocated between the parents as additional child support. Practically, that means your monthly guideline support may be accompanied by insurance premiums or cash medical payments and a requirement to share out-of-pocket costs according to the court’s order.

5) What are the low-income child support guidelines in Texas?

Texas uses a reduced schedule if the obligor’s monthly net resources are less than $1,000. In those cases the percentages drop to 15% for one child, 20% for two, 25% for three, 30% for four, and 35% for five, with not less than the five-child amount for six or more children. The reduced schedule recognizes the impact of very low income on ability to pay while still ensuring consistent support.

Low-income percentages apply only when the net-resources threshold is met; otherwise, the standard schedule controls. If you’re near the threshold, make sure the deductions and permitted offsets have been correctly applied. This can change the calculation meaningfully and ensure the correct guideline table is used.

6) How do multiple-family adjustments work in Texas child support?

If the obligor is legally supporting children in more than one household, Texas applies a “multiple-family adjusted guidelines” method. In short, the court recognizes the obligor’s duty to support children not before the court, adjusts the obligor’s net resources, and then applies the percentage for the children at issue to that adjusted number. This helps keep overall obligations fair across families.

There’s also a low-income version of the multiple-family table for obligors under the low-income threshold. Because small changes in the number of other supported children can move you to a different percentage, it’s worth running the math carefully—or using an official calculator for an estimate—before you negotiate or appear in court.

7) How is child support calculated for self-employed parents in Texas?

Self-employment income counts toward net resources just like wages do, but courts may dig deeper into business records to identify true earnings. Net resources for a self-employed obligor consider gross receipts minus ordinary and necessary business expenses, with attention to depreciation practices and personal benefits paid by the business that might effectively increase income.

Because cash flow can fluctuate, documentation matters: profit-and-loss statements, tax returns, 1099s, bank statements, and evidence of add-backs (e.g., personal car payments run through the business) often drive the final net-resources figure. Once net resources are established, the same guideline percentages and caps apply as they do for W-2 employees.

8) What if a parent is unemployed—how is Texas child support set?

If there’s no reliable income evidence, courts can presume a parent earns at least federal minimum wage for a 40-hour week and apply guidelines to that presumed income. Courts may also impute income based on evidence of assets, earning history, education, or voluntary underemployment to prevent gamesmanship and protect the child’s interests.

That said, if unemployment is genuine, a parent can present proof (e.g., layoff documentation, job-search efforts, medical limitations). Courts retain discretion to deviate from guidelines if applying them would be unjust or inappropriate in the circumstances, but any deviation generally must be supported by specific findings in the order.

9) When and how can you modify child support in Texas?

Support can be modified if there’s a material and substantial change in circumstances (income shifts, insurance changes, new children, altered possession schedule) or if three years have passed and the guideline amount would differ by at least $100 or 20%. Medical and dental support can also be revisited when coverage availability or “reasonable cost” changes.

If you think a pending 2025 cap adjustment affects your order, timing may matter. An official cap change applies prospectively to cases and orders finalized on or after its effective date; older orders remain as-is unless and until modified. Always verify the officially posted cap before filing to modify.

10) How do I estimate Texas child support with examples and a calculator?

Step 1: Determine gross monthly income and allowed deductions (OASDI, Medicare, federal income tax per the standard method, eligible insurance premiums, union dues). Step 2: Arrive at net resources. Step 3: Apply the guideline percentage for the number of children to that net amount, subject to the cap. Step 4: Add required medical and dental support (insurance premiums or cash medical).

Example at the current cap ($9,200): One child = $1,840/month; two = $2,300; three = $2,760; four = $3,220; five = $3,680. If the anticipated Sept. 1, 2025 adjustment to $11,700 becomes official, those maximum guideline amounts would become $2,340; $2,925; $3,510; $4,095; and $4,680 respectively. Always confirm the latest official figures before relying on any numbers.